When does Investigative journalism become a case of Advocacy?

Dr. Christina Koutsoukos of the University of Newcastle delivered a harrowing seminar into the reality of clerical child sexual abuse in dioceses around Australia. It was especially disturbing for myself to experience and I often found myself overwhelmed with emotions through the talk – not happy emotions either.

I think it was the fact that these victims of child sexual abuse in the church were innocent children and their voice was unable to break through their trauma because of the malice and manipulation of these paedophiles. That’s what they are – paedophiles; and innocence doesn’t quite parallel to anything else besides children for me.

The use of ‘boys’ and ‘sexual abuse’ in the same context really makes me feel uneasy. Who in their right mind could commit these crimes? No one. It freaks me out and ignites a spark in me to see that all victims receive justice for their trauma and betrayal suffered. Perhaps I’m an investigative journalist in making? I hope so anyway.

The institutional responses to these atrocities by trusted priests and brothers were a disgrace and extremely below par. Some victims have turned to alcohol; some have committed suicide. You would think that outcomes like these would spark some sort of emotion in the perpetrators to come clean about their crimes. But alas, we can see this is not always the case with recent cases like Cardinal George Pell maintaining his innocence despite a number of victims coming forward.

Another who continually swore his innocence was Maitland-Taree diocese priest John Denham and his victims were a major catalyst for a royal commission (McCarthy, 2015). He was convicted of abusing more than 60 boys and was described as a sadistic priest.

I found myself asking why the victims didn’t come forward during Dr Koutsoukos’ seminar and why these crimes were covered-up by institutional powers. ABC’s Conversations interviewed with Joanne McCarthy and they discussed the reasons why. The paedophiles targeted these vulnerable boys whether it be because of their broken families or their shy behaviour. They were targeted due to their insecurities.

McCarthy asserted the manipulation of words  when giving evidence to reflect in the perpetrators favour betrayed the victims and added extra angst in coming forward, describing the paedophiles conduct as ‘mistakes’, ‘failings’ and ‘misbehaving’  instead of as the crimes they were.

“I’m sorry that should not be said in 2017. It is not misbehaving. If the priests commit a crime…we need to pick them up on that because it goes to their [the victims] mindset."

I can see how investigative journalism becomes advocacy in this case in giving a voice to those who would not otherwise be heard or to a point of view not in the mainstream (Koutsoukos, 2017) and McCarthy’s endeavours will go down in history as a catalyst in the exposing the ugly and dark history of the church.

 I don’t really have words for it but if you would like to listen to the full interview, here it is: http://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/conversations/conversations-joanne-mccarthy/8316862

Now that I’ve had my rant…

Investigative Journalism is a profession and a skill set and the in the constructed factors of it, it’s more or less a vehicle in exposing concealed information – whether it has been hidden deliberately by someone in power or unintentionally within measures that obscure understanding (Hunter, 2011 , p.8).  It is said that the fifth element of conventional report – the why becomes the how in investigative journalism (ibid). A journalists passion to serve the public and hold power to account is vital and mustn't be hindered in today's society where symbiosis between these teller of stories and technological advancements and opportunities could maintain a effective business model in journalism. 

Take a look at this TedTalks video with Robert Rosenhal, an investigative reporter whose career has won him a number of prestigious awards in journalism. It raises some interesting ideas and highlights the ever-important point to ensure trustworthiness in this digital world. 

Cases where efforts of investigative journalism has uncovered hidden corruption and criminal activity as a result become a case of advocacy. Dr Koutsoukas defines advocacy is an active process of giving a voice to those who would not otherwise be heard or to a point of view not in the mainstream (2017).

According to Carson in Tanner and Richardson, it wasn’t until the Watergate scandal that ended Nixon’s US Presidency that investigative journalism was glamorised in Australia (2013, p.10). This growth continued throughout the 60s and 70s in Australia and during this time of great social and political shifting was when Murdoch established a column to investigate ‘the news behind the news (Fairfax Media, 2011 in Tanner and Richardson, 2013, p. 13). Since this period we have seen many major revelations of corruption and scandals that not only impact on Australia but also many parts of the globe. At the heart of investigative journalism, it provides a catalyst in transparency and responsibility that holds power to account for institutional powers and public figures.

Australia's investigative journalism cannot be separated from controversial documentary maker John Pilger who uncovered numerous malpractices and disclosed information in terrible events throughout history. One of his most famous  works was this 1970 documentary about US troop revolts during the Vietnam War titles 'Vietnam: The Quiet Mutiny'.

A common fear for whistle-blowers
Source: Slane NZ

The protection of whistle-blowers is a fundamental demand for any journalist who values a reliable career in reporting. Having an uncle who is in the midst of a bribery scandal over in Europe for disclosing illegal practices controlled by his former employer to authorities and who has been publicly named, the ramifications that this could publicised wrongdoing could risk my cousins and aunt’s well being worries me quite a bit. He went to the media and told all with documents and recorded phone conversations to back up his case.

Although my uncle did spill the beans on their corrupt activities, the company have maintained their innocence and continue their legal proceedings against him, including his arrest if he returns to the country in which this happens. 

So, I guess in this sense advocacy became a sense of investigative journalism.

Whichever way the order goes, it seems to me that investigative journalism and advocacy go hand in hand in most cases when powerful institutions or organisations have become transparent and calls for accountability are made.  Of course, there are varying degrees of situations where some cases are more sinister than others and require further investigation by authoritative bodies. Take the Royal Commissions into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (2013 - present) and into Juvenile Detention in the Northern Territory (2016 - present), which was instigated by ABC’s ‘Four Corners’ program which showed abuse of juveniles held in the Don Dale Juvenile Detention Centre in Darwin.

 References:

Hunter, M. (2011). Story-based Inquiry - A manual for investigative journalists. 1st ed. France: UNESCO Publishing.

Tanner, S. and Richardson, N. (2013). Journalism research and investigation in a digital world. South Melbourne, Vic.: Oxford University Press.